Karnataka CM announces NIA probe into BJYM office-bearer’s murder as BJP struggles to handle partymen’s anger

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday announced that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will investigate the case involving the brutal murder of a BJP yuva morcha office-bearer in the coastal Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.

The government, the CM added, favoured an NIA probe as they suspect the involvement of organised inter-state networks behind the heinous crime.

The decision followed a high-level meeting that the CM had with senior police officers including DGP Praveen Sood in Bengaluru. The police had speeded up the investigation and the Home department would write a formal letter to the Centre, he said.


Soon after the news of the killing emerged, Union Junior Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shobha Karandlaje wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting him to direct the NIA to take over the case, and also take appropriate action against PFI, SDPI and other extremist groups. Karandlaje, who represents Udupi-Chikmagaluru in Lok Sabha, feared more such attacks on BJP workers by Jihadis unless there was a stern action.

Earlier, the CM said the police will tighten the border areas with Kerala. There are about 50 roads connecting the two states, Bommai said, as the killers are suspected to have come from Kerala and returned soon after executing the crime.

On Thursday evening, Bommai announced his government's plans to set up a Police wing just like the NIA to crack down on radical elements and to restore peace in the state.

The CM's comments came after he met the family of Praveen Nettaru (31) who was brutally murdered Tuesday night at Bellare village in Sullya taluk.

The ruling BJP cancelled gala celebrations of three years of its rule in the state on Thursday on the back of a tide of resignations from party's youth morcha members protesting lack of protection to party workers after the murder.